Falcons recap: Deion Jones out, Avery Williams moving to RB
The Atlanta Falcons held their first open organized team activity on Thursday and there was a lot to unpack. Head coach Arthur Smith gave an update on linebacker Deion Jones, discussed expectations for quarterback Marcus Mariota, and the team added two new faces to the running back room.
Here’s a quick rundown of the day’s top Falcons stories.
Deion Jones out?
#Falcons’ Deion Jones to miss offseason after shoulder surgery. (Coach Arthur Arthur opened up with a strong offseason injury report!) https://t.co/Arg16i7Pzn pic.twitter.com/SwEmyYvACR
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) May 26, 2022
Jones will miss the Falcons offseason training program after getting shoulder surgery, head coach Arthur Smith stated on Thursday. The former Pro Bowl inside linebacker is Atlanta’s highest-paid player. Considering the team’s many offseason additions at the ILB position, you have to wonder if the Falcons are anticipating Jones won’t be around this season. The team signed Rashaan Evans and Nick Kwiatkoski, and drafted Troy Andersen in the second round.
Arthur Smith on Mariota: "W'ere not asking him to be Matt Ryan"
"We're not asking him to be Matt Ryan… We're asking him to be Marcus Mariota." Arthur Smith said it's been fun to be around Marcus again, and he's doing well in OTAs.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) May 26, 2022
Marcus Mariota has some big shoes to fill replacing 14-year starter and former league MVP Matt Ryan. Smith said he isn’t asking Mariota to try and be Ryan. The former No. 2 overall pick has a very different skill set than Ryan. Even though things didn’t work out with Mariota in Tennessee when Smith was offensive coordinator, the two clearly have a solid enough relationship to give it another chance. After spending two years as the backup to Derek Carr in Las Vegas, Mariota has a chance to resurrect his career in Atlanta.
Avery Williams moving to running back
The Falcons are moving CB Avery Williams to running back.
First spotted this as a possibility in April during workouts but now appears to be a more formal change as OTAs get underway.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 26, 2022
Avery Williams was solid during his rookie season as a backup defensive back and kick returner. Apparently, the Falcons think the second-year man out of Boise State is a better fit at running back than in the secondary. While the Falcons RB room is very full at the moment, All-Pro kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson has made the transition to running back nicely. Williams wasn’t likely to get much time at defensive back, so it’s not a bad idea to see if he can be the next CP.
Keith Smith had knee surgery
#Falcons fullback Keith Smith (knee) also had offseason knee surgery and will be ready for training camp. https://t.co/WtGVR6DURY
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) May 26, 2022
Keith Smith is also recovering from surgery, the team announced this morning. Smith underwent an offseason knee procedure, but according to head coach Arthur Smith, the fullback will return in time for training camp.
Falcons sign RB Jeremy McNichols
We have signed RB Jeremy McNichols.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 26, 2022
Atlanta signed former Titans running back Jeremy McNichols on Thursday. The 26-year-old caught on in Tennessee in 2020 when Arthur Smith was the offensive coordinator. Last season, McNichols posted a career-high 28 catches for 240 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Arthur Smith shares a message after tragedies
Head Coach Arthur Smith shares a message on the tragic events that occurred recently. pic.twitter.com/vJRwayBjW2
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 26, 2022
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